SCOTT CITY SLASHES BUDGET, MORE CUTS POSSIBLE

Concerns over running the Scott City budget with an estimated $120,000 deficit prompted council members to meet last night and hack $56,500 out of the city's expenses for 1996-97.

The council also set itself up for more cuts after information can be gathered on programs, dues and employees.

Council members made the most decisive cut by eliminating the vacant city administrator's position. That saved the city $40,000 in salary and incentives.

The council also eliminated an additional city vehicle that would mainly have been used by the city administrator, saving the city another $16,500.

Council members were unanimous in cutting the city administrator's position, arguing that the city had done without one for years before hiring John Saxton in 1995. Saxton lasted until March of this year before resigning. A city administrator basically oversees the city's employees, but is chiefly responsible for bringing in businesses and applying for grants through the state and federal governments.

Scott City Mayor Jerry Cummins said at the council's last regular meeting that "an active council" would be able to do the city administrator's duties.

The council does see a need in the future for a city administrator, especially if a deal with Lucky Lady gaming goes through. If the need does arise, they concluded, they can always amend the budget.

The council will be reviewing the job responsibilities and the need of retaining the secretary to the city administrator. Carolyn Tinsley was originally brought in a few years ago as part-time help when the city's number of court fines was more work than the regular staff could handle. From there she was hired on full-time as the secretary to the city administrator but her job duties were never clarified. With court fines dropping every year, the council said it will clarify those duties and determine whether Tinsley needs to be kept on full-time.

Cummins also asked that the organizations city employees belong be evaluated to see if any of $7,500 in dues the city pays can be eliminated.